Driving mechanism for postage



March 26, 1935. J. w. OGDEN ET AL 1,995,577

DRIVING MBCHANISM FQR POSTAGE METER MACHINES Filed Dec. 10, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 26, 1935. J. w. OGDEN ET AL 1,995,577

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR POSTAGE METER MACHINES Filed Dec. 10, 1930 I 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 26, 1935. J, w. OGDEN ET AL 7 1,995,577

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR PQSTAGE METER MECHINES Filed Dec. 10, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 26, 1935. .1. w. OGDEN ET AL DRIVING MECHANISM FOR PQSTAGE METER MACHINES Filed Dec. 10, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 26, 1935. J. w. OGDEN ET AL DRIVING MECHANISM FOR POSTAGE METER MACHINES Filed Dec. 10, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 O ID Jmnmtoa March 26, 1935.

J. w. OGDEN E1 AL muvme MECHANISM FOR POSTAGE METER mcnnms Filed Dec. 10,1930

8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Urn.

March 26, 1935. J, w. OGDEN ET AL DRIVING MECHANISM FOR POSTAGE METER MACHINES Filed Dec. 10, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 March 26, 1935. J, w, OGDEN Er AL 1,995,577

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR POSTAGE METER MACHINES Filed Dec. 10. 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 rarenrea mar. AD, 1303 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRIVING MECHANISM FOR POSTAGE METER MACHINES Jacob W. Ogden, Sprlngdale, and Edwin Donaldson, Stamford, Conn., asslgnors to Pltney- Bowes Postage Meter Co., Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application December 10, 1930, Serial No. 501,366

26 Claims. (Cl. 192.02)

This invention relates to postage meter madriving mechanism with the portable postage mechines and its principal object is to provide mechter attached; the gear casing being partly broken anism for supporting and power driving the small away to show connections. portable postage meter machines which are ordi- Fig. 2 is a detail front view of part of Figure 1 narily hand operated. with the portable postage meter removed.

A further object of the invention is to provide Fig. 3-is a plan view of Fig. 1 with the gear casa base or support for portable postage meters, ing partly broken a y to Show Connectionssuch base being provided with motor driven mech- Fig. 4 is a plan view of housing showing fasanism for operating such postage meter. Another tehings for t mete! P t y broken away to Show object is to provide a manually operable control t e locking V 10 bar, and means for simultaneously starting the 5 i a Side View 0! motor and throwing in clutch mechanism where i 6 i5 8 r e V 0! 3 p y b -y by the postage meter machine will b operated to show the connections between the power drivonce each time the bar is depressed A further ins devices a the portable Postage meter.

object is to provide means for preventing the 7 is a d V w O S Showing the 15 operation of the switch and the throwing in of motor, Switch, Clutch, and p mechanisms the clutch (a) if the meter is not properly placed mounted t onon the mechanism ready for operation, or (b) 8 is a p v ew o pa shown in if the proper selection of denomination has not 9 '5 8 front elevation 0! Samebeen made, or (0) when the meter becomes locked 10 is an e a detail D View Of the 20 against further operation upon exhaustion of the clutch and Switch ec a prepaid postage. A further object is to prevent 11 is a i Vi w 0 Fi 10- the operation of the motor when the portable post- 12 is a front V w 0 Sa e.

age meter is removed. A further object of the 3 s a d invention is to provide such a spring connection 14 is detail Sectional V w Of the clutch as between the push bar and the switch and clutch on shaft mechanisms as will allow the ush bar to be fully 15 is an nla d s t n t r u h t and depressed without the full force of such pressure wheel and disk in being transmitted to the switch and clutch mechi 6 is a p v w of the P esse bar f am anism in the event that such mechanisms are detached- 80 prevented from functioning by reason of any of i8 8 detail Side View 0! 3 P Of Said.

the various precautionary and required control frame; and

locking devices having operated, Fig. 18 is a detail perspective view of part of The embodiment of our invention herein de- Such scribed is designed to support and cooperate with Referring to Figure 1 the framework of the the portable postage printing and metering mechmachine comprises a base plate 200, and an inanism contained in the portable unit B" shown verted box shaped stand 300, which are securely and described in W ee r & O dens app united to form an enclosure for the mechanism,

( case 7614) filed March 8th, 1929, Serial No. 345,- b t can b separated for the inspection or repair 40 515, which unit B is used principally for printing f the parts without disturbing any adjustments 40 postal indicia on mail matter. Our invention is A vertical shaft 201 is mounted in a bracket to be used in connection with such unit to en- 200a upon the base 200 (Figs 842) This shaft able the latter to be operated semi-automatically has upon its upper end one member 201a of a by electric power instead of by hand power. Self an gnlng coupling, the other member 30lb we W111 describe. the mveptmn i Ijeference thereof being secured to the lower end of a shaft to the accompanying drawlngs which illustrate 301 Fi 2) mounted in a bracket 300 one practical embodiment thereof; but the int 5 A h ft 302 vention is not restricted to the particular use, but 0p 0 S an Cross 5 15 moun e may be applied to drive other postage meters or fi dlrectly above Shaft 1s mechanisms where-it is required to start and stop geared to shaft 301 bevel gears 9 (mgs- 5 I the motor for each individual operation. The 1 and Shaft 302 15 provlded at i inner essential features of the invention which we deend with a coupling member 30 whi i ap sire to protect are summarized in the claims. d to b ed W eoupling member 7 In said drawings; on the drive shaft 5 of the portable postage Fig. 1 is a front view of our meter support and meter or unit B (see Fig. 1) which corresponds 55 to the unit B shown and described in the aforesaid Wheeler & Ogden application.

The shaft. 302 has on its lower end a coupling member 30lb which engages a coupling member 201D on the upper end of a driven shaft 201 which is journaled in a bracket 200a and a casting 200w to which the bracket is attached (see Figs. 10-12) secured within the stand 300.

The shaft 201 (Figs. 8-12) has secured to it the internal member 20250 of a clutch, the external member 202g of which is secured to and revolves with the worm wheel 203; which is driven by the worm 204 coupled to the shaft of the motor 205 (Figs. 8 and 9). When the two members (202y202:r) of the clutch are coupled together, the shaft 201 will be revolved'by the motor, will drive shaft 301 and through the gears 303, cross shaft 302 and coupling 302a drive shaft 5, of the portable unit B will also revolve. When the members of clutch 202g, 2029: are uncoupled, the worm wheel 203 will revolve with the motor but shaft 201 will remain stationary.

The clutch 2021/, 2021: may be of any suitable type, preferably it is of the familiar type in which rollers placed between ihclinedsurfaces of the driving and driven-members will lock them together. The clutch rollers are preferably carried in a holder 202 which has a limited movement of revolution relativeto the cam of the driven member, so that by shifting the position of the holder the rollers may be brought into or out of engagement with the inclined faces aforesaid, thus making or breaking the connection between them. Such clutches are well known and therefore detailed illustration and description thereof is unnecessary.

The roller holder is moved into the engaging position by means of a spring within the clutch and it is moved into the disengaging position by reason of a lug 202a on the holder 202 coming into contact with a movable stop 206 in the path of the revolution of the clutch. In Fig. 10 the lug 202a is shown engaging the movable stop 206, the direction of rotation of the clutch being shown by the arrow. The stop 206 is pivoted at 206a and is held by the spring 206s in normal position to interfere with the lug 202a of the roller holder.

A bell crank 207, pivoted at 206a moved by spring 2073, is adapted to drop behind a lug 202b, projecting from the holder 202. When the stop 206 is rocked out of engagement with the lug 202a (as hereinafter described) the holder 202 urged by its spring beforementioned, will move the clutch rollers into engagement and the driven member will revolve and turn shaft 201 until the lug 202a again engages the previously restored stop 206, which will result in disengaging the rollers and bringing the clutch to rest. Before the clutch stops however the lug 202b will have passed the bell crank 207 and the latter moves in behind the lug and will prevent any back action or rebound of the clutch or shaft 201 which will be stopped from moving in either direction by the opposed stops 206 and 207.

The motor 205 is controlled by an electric switch 208 (Figs. 8-11) mounted on bracket 200a and having a control handle 208a projecting at its lower side. This switch can be operated through a series of levers by depressing a manually operable touch bar 209 located at the front side of the base plate 200.. The touch bar 209 is mounted outside the base and is mounted on the outer ends of levers 209a which pass under the top of the base 200 and are pivoted as at 2091) (Fig. 'l) and the pivoted ends of the parts 209a of the levers are connected by a bar 2091: (Fig. 8) and the inner ends of parts 209e of the lovers are connected by a bar 209k. The inner end of one of the levers 209a is extended as at 2090 and projects upwardly through the base 200, at a point adjacent to a bracket 200b mounted on the base plate.

A vertically disposed rod 210 (Figs. 6-9) is slidably mounted in the bracket 200b. A block 210a is secured to this rod and a compression spring 2103 placed between this block and a projection 20011 on the bracket 200b forces the rod downward until the block comes into contact with another projection 200m on the bracket to limit its downward travel.

The lower end of rod 210 is engaged with the free end of a horizontal lever 211 (Figs.

6 and 8) pivoted at 211a, and overlying the end.

209e of the touch bar lever, and whenever the touch bar 209 is depressed the rod 210 will be raised and it will be lowered to normal position by action of the spring 2108, when the touch h is released.

ho -izontally disposed lever 212 is pivoted at 21211 on the upper surface of the bracket 200b which can be rocked, in a horizontal plane, by means of the bell crank 213 (Figs. '7 and 8) which is pivoted at 2130. on the bracket 200b and one arm is adapted to engage the block 210a, and its other arm engages a pin 21% on the adjacent end of lever 212. By means of lever 213 vertical movement of the rod 210 causes a horizontal movement of the lever 212.

A push bar 214 (Figs. 8 and 9) is pivoted at 214a to the lever 212 and moves with lever 212. The push bar is guided in a slot 2000 (Figs.

9-11) in a lug (200m) on the bracket 200a. A

contractile spring 214s (Fig. 8) strung between the push bar and an extension of the lever 212,

'tends to hold the push bar in the guide slot and in contact with pin 200d passing transversely through the slot 2000. The push bar has a cam portion 2141) designed to engage the pin 200d and force the free end of the bar outward against the action of the spring 214s when the push bar is moved toward the lug 2000.33.

'The electric switch handle 208a and the outer arm 20Gb of the movable clutch stop 206 (Figs.

10, 11) are located in the path of the inner end of push bar 214; and when the latter is moved toward the lug 200b its inner end will engage the handle 208a and move it to the on position closing the electric circuit and starting the motor. The push bar will also engage the arm 20Gb and rock the clutch stop 206 out of engagement with the holder 202 thereby engaging the clutch members and causing them to revolve shaft 201 with the worm gear wheel 203.

On the further inward movement of the push bar 214 the cam 214b (Fig. 10) thereon contacts with the pin 200d and causes the free end of the push rod to swing out of the path of both the switch handle and movable stop arm 206D and stop 206 will be immediately returned to normal position by spring 2068. Just before the completion of one revolution of shaft 201 the lug 202D on the clutch body comes into contact with one arm of the bell crank 207 and moves the latter and causes its other arm 20?!) to contact with the switch handle 208a and push it back to its normal or off position.

It will be understood from the above, that when the touch bar 209 is depressed the vertical driving shaft 201 will make but one complete revolution; and owing to the fact that the cam 21412 moves the push bar 214 out of the path of the switch handle and clutch stop the switch handle will be returned to its normal position, whether the touch bar is held depressed or immediately released. That is one depression of the touch bar will cause but one revolution of the drive shaft; whether the touch bar be depressed slowly or speedily.

The upper frame 300 of the machine is substantially identical with the corresponding frame designated A in the aforesaid Wheeler & Ogden application as regards the means for securing the portable unit B thereon, the rocking envelope table 1120 with its impression roller 111, the means for driving the latter, etc., and a description thereof herein is unnecessary. In applying our invention to said portable postage meter machine however we have added certain parts which have relation to the power drive, the means for prevention of operation of the motor when the prepaid postage has been exhausted, and to prevent unauthorized use of postage, and when the portable unit has been removed. For convenience in referring to the drawings these added parts will be numbered hereinafter in the 300 series.

Likewise in describing unit B in the said Wheeler & Ogden application, the means for rendering the unit inoperative at the exhaustion of paid postage, were not described, as they were not the subject of any claims and we will explain some details thereof in order to enable others to clearly understand certain features and functions of our present mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 3-6, in the said Wheeler 8: Ogden machine the shaft 220 which passes through the casing of unit B normally projects into the path of ahand operated crank which acts as a stop to terminate the cycle of operation. Near the inner end of this shaft a flanged collar 22b is secured and between it and the frame is placed a compression spring 22s which tends to project the shaft 22a endwise, a stop collar 22c on the shaft limiting its outward movement. A pin 22d in collar 220 is made to engage an angularly disposed cam slot in a curved plate 22c fastened to the adjacent wall of the housing. As described in said Wheeler & Ogden application a lever 22 was secured to the externally projecting end of shaft 22a and so disposed that it could be conveniently pushed by the-thumb of the hand-operating a crank on shaft 5, and when so moved the shaft would start to revolve and the pin 22d on collar 22c moving in the cam slot in plate 22c caused the shaft 22a to move inwardly and withdraw out of the path of the crank all as explained in said Wheeler & Ogden application No. 7614.

In our invention a bell crank 304 is pivoted to a fixed support below collar 22b and its upper arm provided with a roller 3041i engaging a groove in the collar 22b and to the arm 3040 of lever 304 is pivoted the upper end of a rod 304d that extends downward into a hole in the floor of the casing; its lower extremity being flush with the bottom side thereof. By pushing rod 304d upwardly it will rock lever 304 and cause the shaft 22a to move horizontally inward and withdrawing its outer end out of the path of the crank disk 308; the upward pushing of rod 304d producing precisely the same effect on shaft 2211 that the pushing of lever 22 produces.

To prepare the Wheeler & Ogden unit B for use in connection with our power drive unit the thumb lever 22, Fig. 6 can be removed from the end of shaft 22a as the shifting of shaft 22a will be controlled by the push rod 304d instead of the lever 22. Also the hand crank should be removed and the hand wheel 308 substituted therefor. Also an extension 307 is secured to the inner end of shaft 5 (see Figs. 1 and 3). This extension is provided with a slot 307a in its outer end in which is secured a piece 307!) which forms the driving connection between the shaft 5 of unit B and the cross shaft 302 of our power driven unit. The piece 3071) is preferably made of a material of comparatively low resistance to shear, in order that in case of mechanical trouble in unit B this piece will shear or break and thus avoid wrecking the mechanisms. The hand wheel 308 is preferably hollow (see Figs. 13 and 15) and a disk 308a is rotatably mounted on its hub and provided with a lug 3082) which lug, as the wheel revolves, passes through the space normally occupied by the end of the shaft 22a. This disk has a slight rotatorial movement relative to the hub, and is normally held by spring 3088 to the limit of this movement (in the direction in which the shaft 5 moves in operation of the machine) It is prevented from making this movement (as the machine nears its normal rest position) by contact with the projecting end of the shaft 22a (Fig. 13) but when shaft 22a is moved inwardly the lug 308 will move its full limit, and will prevent shaft 22a returning to its normal outer position until the lug is moved out of the way by reason of the turning of the shaft 5. This lug 30819 is introduced to prevent the shaft 220 prematurely returning to normal position in the event of an exceptionally swift push and release of the touch bar 209. An annular projecting rim on the wheel surrounds the circular portion of the disk 308a, and is provided with an open slot through which the lug 3081: projects, the slot being enough wider than the lug to permit the disk to rotate through an angle of 15 degrees. The spring 3083 is of a single coil and surrounds the hub, one end is secured to the hub and the other to the disk, urging the lug 1308b of the disk 308a to occupy the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 13. The whole assembly, wheel, hubs, disk, and spring is mounted on the end of the shaft 5 by means of a pin passing through both hub and shaft, and is used in place of the hand operated crank of the Wheeler 8: Ogden unit when it is desired to operate that unit in connection with the power drive unit herein described. The wheel 308 though described as a hand wheel is not designed to be used to operate the machine, except in cases of emergency as, if the motor should stall before the completion of an operation, or some such similar emergency.

This lug 3081) also acts as a safety device to keep the meter stop 22a out of locking position in the event that the touch bar is pushed when the electric current is off in which case if it were not for this latch, the stop would return to normal locking position and leave the switch closed and the clutch tripped; subsequent turning on of the current would then start the machine but the meter would be prevented from operating by the stop, and a safety plug would be sheared. A slidable pin 309 (Fig. 6) is mounted in the top of the casing 300 directly over the vertical push rod 210 and in position to be engaged and lifted thereby. When rod 210 is raised (as above described) it engages and lifts pin 309; and the latter engages and raises the rod 304d, which in turn releases unit B for operation, (provided that such operation has not been already prevented by the. looking means controlled by the exhaustion of the prepaid postage as in such case the rod 304d cannot be pushed upward.

The mechanism thus far described includes all the essentials for the successful operation of the said postage meter machine or unit B by our power controlled apparatus. There are however some contingencies that might arise in the power operation of such machine which would have disastrous results if they were not provided for. And to ensure safe and reliable operation of the unit B means hereinafter described are provided to prevent the operation of the motor in case the unit B is not properly mounted on the base; also while the unit is removed from the base; also means whereby undue pressure applied to the touch bar after exhaustion of the unit or locking of parts will not result in straining any of the delicate mechanisms or parts.

The unit B is ordinarily fastened to the base .500 by two studs 100a and a clamp screw 100b mounted in projections on its upper surface. A key 1000 (Figs. 4 and 5) entering a hole in the bottom of B when turned operates a lock within the unit which releases the mechanism for operation. To effect the turning of the key we fasten an arm 310a to the key 1000 and connect it to one end of a link 310b, the other end of the link being connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 310 pivoted on a stud 310p secured to the inner top wall of case 300, see-Fig. t, the other arm of said lever projects through a slot in the side wall of the case in position for manual operation.

.Two lugs 3100 and 310d (Fig. 4) projecting from the link 3101) are adapted to alternately engage the upper arm of a lever 215 pivoted on the bracket 20Gb (Fig. 7) at 215a (Fig. 9). The lower arm of lever 215 swings into the path of movement of the block 210a attached to the vertical push rod 210, and when engaged therewith will effectually prevent its upward movement. The shifting of link 310b will rock lever 215 so that its lower arm will interfere with the block 210a, or clear it.

Before the unit B can be attached to the base 300 the key 1000 must be in the position shown in Fig. 4 in order to enter the key hole. When in this position the projecting hand operated arm 310. and the link 31% will be in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4 and the lug 3100 will be in contact with the lever 215 holding its lower arm in interference with the block 210a, therefore the motor cannot be started.

-After unit B is clamped in position the lever 310 and link 31Gb are shifted to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 thereby turning the key 1000 and unlocking the mechanism of unit B, and moving the lug 310d engages lever 215 and rocks it so that its lower arm permits the push rod 210 to move.

To prevent the motor from being operated when unit B, is removed from the stand the arm 310 is held in inoperative position as follows. A latch pin 311 is slidably mounted in the base 300 directly under one of the locating studs 100a (Figs. 2 and 5). This pin normally projects slightly above the upper surface of the base, and its lower extremity is slotted to engage one arm of a lever 312, Fig. 5, to which it is loosely pinned. The lever 312 is pivoted on a stud 312a on the inside of the casing 300, and its free end normally lies in the path of travel of the arm 310 (Fig. 4) and keeps it in the locking position; lever 312 being held in this normal position by the spring 3125. In order to remove lever 312 out of the path of lever 310 the pin 311 must be depressed. The placing of unit B in proper position on the base 300, will force the pin 311 downward, and thus free lever 310. The pin is placed under the stud 100a (Figs. 1, 4 and 5) in order to minimize the chances of its being accidentally depressed; and its top end is beveled to facilitate the lever 313a is unlocked.

To enable the proprietor of the machine to lock it against unauthorized use, a commercial lock 313 (Fig. 4) is secured to the inside back wall of thecase. A lever 313a operable by the lock bolt is arranged to engage a slot 310; (Fig. 4) in the link 310b (when the arm 310 is in the operative position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. This will prevent movement of lever 310 to the inoperative position and the removal of unit B. A downwardly projecting arm 313?) (Fig. 5) on lever 313a will be also brought into contact with a cross pin 210b on the vertical push rod 210 and prevent lifting of the latter, and consequently the operation of the motor until the lever 313a is unlocked.

To prevent possible wrecking of any of the members in case the touch bar 209 is forced downward at a time when any of the mechanisms have been rendered inoperative, the levers 20911 are preferably made in two parts 209a and 209e the forward part 209a of each lever is pivoted at 209D (Figs. '7, 16 and 17) and the inner part 209e is also pivoted at 2091) and has an inturned flange 209 which overlies the bar 209.12. The flange 2091 is slotted as at 209g for the passage of a bolt 20% which extends through the member 209:1: and is provided with an adjusting nut 209i on lower end beneath the bar, and an expansion spring 209;; is interposed between the head of the bolt and the flange and tends topress the flange tightly against the bar 209a: and thus keeps the parts 209a and 209e of the lever in normally fixed relative positions; but if the bar 209 is forced downward at a time when any of the mechanisms have been rendered inoperative the springs 209s will. yield and permit the parts 209a to swing downwardly relative to the parts 209e, and thus prevent injury to any of the mechanisms that have become inoperative.

We claim:

1. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter having a drive shaft, a' longituwise to release the meter drive shaft, and means whereby the clutch is engaged when the meter drive shaft is released and held engaged until the parts complete a cycle of operations.

2. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a switch controlling the operation of the motor, and means whereby closing of the switch and throwing in of the clutch is prevented if the meter is not properly positioned for operation on the base.

3. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a switch controlling the operation of the motor, and means whereby closing of the switch and throwing in of the clutch is prevented if the meter has been locked against further operation.

4. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a switch controlling the operation of the motor,

and means whereby throwing in of the clutch and closing of the switch is prevented if the meter is removed from the machine.

5. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter; a motor, a switch controlling the motor, a clutch connecting the motor with the drive of the meter, a touch bar, means controlled by said bar for operating the switch and throwing in the clutch when said bar is depressed, and yielding means permitting the touch bar to be depressed without the full force of such pressure being transmitted to the switch and clutch mechanisms in event that the mechanisms are prevented from functioning.

6. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter; 9. motor, a switch controlling the motor, a driving connection between the motor and meter including a clutch, a touch bar, means controlled by said bar for operating the switch and throwing in the clutch when said bar is depressed, means for preventing the operation of the switch and the throwing in of the clutch, and yielding means permitting the touch bar to be depressed without the full force of such pressure being transmitted to the switch and clutch mechanisms in event that the meter is prevented from functioning.

'7. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter; a touch bar, an electric motor, a

switch controlling the motor, clutch mechanism for connecting the motor with the meter drive shaft, means for simultaneously starting the motor and throwing in the clutch mechanism when said bar is depressed, means for preventing the operation of the switch and the throwing in of the clutch, and yieldingmeans permitting the touch bar to be depressed without the full force of such pressure being transmitted to the switch and clutch mechanisms in event that such mechanisms are prevented from functioning.

8. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter or other portable mechanism; a .clutch for connecting or disconnecting the meter drive shaft with the motor, a manually operable lever or touch bar, means whereby when the lever is depressed the clutch is engaged, means whereby the clutch is released for each cycle of operations, and means whereby throwing in of the clutch is prevented if the meter is not properly positioned for operation.

9. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter or other portable mechanism; a clutch for connecting or disconnecting the meter drive shaft with the motor, a manually operable lever or touch bar, means whereby when the lever is depressed the clutch is engaged, means whereby the clutch is released for each cycle of operations, and means whereby throwing in of the clutch is prevented if the meter has been locked against further operation.

10. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter or other portable mechanism; a clutch for connecting or disconnecting the meter drive shaft with the motor, a manually operable lever or touch bar, means whereby when the lever is depressed the clutch is engaged, means whereby the clutch is released for each cycle of operations, and means whereby the throwing in of the clutch is prevented when the portable postage meter is removed from the machine.

11. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter or other portable mechanism; a clutch for connecting or disconnecting the meter drive shaft with the motor, a manually operable lever or touch bar, means whereby wherthe lever is depressed the clutch is engaged, means whereby the clutch is released for each cycle of operations, and yielding means permitting the touch bar to be depressed without the full force of such pressure being transmitted to the clutch controlling mechanism in event that such mechanism is prevented from functioning.

12. Motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter or other portable mechanism: comprising a motor, a meter driving shaft including a clutch for connecting or disconnecting the meter driving shaft with the motor, a switch controlling the operation of the motor, a manually operable lever or touch bar, means whereby when the lever is depressed the switch is closed and the clutch engaged, means whereby the clutch is released and the switch opened upon completion of one cycle of operation, and means whereby closing of the switch and throwing in of the clutch is prevented if the meter is not properly positioned for operation on the base.

13. Motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter or other portable mechanism; comprising a motor, a meter driving shaft including a clutch for connecting or disconnecting the meter driving shaft with the motor, a switch controlling the operation of the motor, a manually operable lever or touch bar, means whereby when the lever is depressed the switch is closed and the clutch engaged, means whereby the clutch is released and the switch opened upon completion of one cycle of operation, and means whereby closing of the switch and throwing in of the clutch is prevented if the meter has been locked against further operation.

14. Motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter or other portable mechanism; comprising a motor, a meter driving shaft including a clutch for connecting or disconnecting the meter driving shaft with the motor, a switch controlling the operation of the motor, a manually operable lever or touch bar, means whereby when the lever is depressed the switch is closed and the clutch engaged, means whereby the clutch is released and the switch opened upon completion of one cycle of operation, and means whereby the throwing in of the clutch or closing of the switch is prevented if the portable postage meter is removed from the machine.

15. Motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter or other portable mechanism; comprising a motor, a meter driving shaft including a clutch for connecting or disconnecting the meter driving shaft with the motor, a switch controlling the operation of the motor, a manually. operable lever or touch bar, means whereby when the lever is depressed the switch is closed and the clutch engaged, means whereby the clutch is released and the switch opened upon completion of one cycle of operation, and yielding means permitting the touch bar to be depressed without the full force of such pressure being transmitted to the switch and clutch mechanisms in event that such mechanisms are prevented from functioning.

16. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter; a motor, a meter, a clutch connecting the motor with the drive of the meter, a meter stop, a touch bar. means controlled by said bar for withdrawing the meter stop and for starting the motor to operate the meter and means preventing the meter stop from returning to its stop position in the event that the electric current was off when the touch bar was pushed.

17. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter, a meter stop, a motor, a driving connection between the motor and meter including a clutch, a touch bar, means controlled by said bar for withdrawing the meter stop and starting .the motor and throwing in the'clutch when said bar is depressed, and means preventing the meter stop from returning to its stop position after the touch bar has been pushed in the event that the electric current was off.

18. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter; a motor, a clutch connecting the motor with the drive of the meter, a meter stop, a touch bar, means controlled by said bar for starting the motor and throwing in the clutch when said bar is depressed, means preventing the meter stop from returning to its stop position after the touch bar has been pushed in the event that the electriccurrent was oif when the touch bar was pushed, and yielding means permitting the touch bar to be'depressed without the full force of such pressure being transmitted to the switch and clutch mechanisms in event that the mechanisms are prevented from functioning.

19. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter; a motor, a clutch connecting the motor with the drive of the meter, a touch bar, means controlled by said bar for throwing in the clutch when said bar is depressed, and yielding means permitting the touch bar to be depressed without the full force of such pressure being transmitted to the clutch mechanism in event that such mechanism is prevented from functioning.

20. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter; a motor,a driving. connection between the motor and meter including a clutch, a touch bar, means controlled by said bar for throwing in the clutch when said bar is-dep'ressed, means for preventing the throwing in of the clutch, and yielding means permitting the touch bar to be depressed without the full force of such pressure being transmitted to the clutch mechanism in event that the meter is prevented from functioning.

21. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter; a touch bar, a motor, clutch mechanism for connecting the motor with the meter drive shaft, means for starting the motor and throwing in the clutch mechanism when said bar is depressed, means for preventing the throwing in of the clutch, and yielding means permitting drive shaft with the motor, a manually operable lever or touch bar, means whereby when the lever is depressed the clutch is engaged, means whereby the clutchis released for each cycle of operations, and means whereby throwing in of the clutch and closing of the switch is prevented if the meter is not in proper condition for operation.

23. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter; a motor, a driving connection between the motor and meter including a clutch, a touch bar, means controlled by said bar for starting the motor and throwing in the clutch when said bar is depressed, means for preventing the throwing in of the clutch, and yielding means permitting the touch bar to be depressed without the fullforce of such pressure being transmitted .to the clutch mechanism in event that the" meter is not in proper condition for operation.

24. In motor driven mechanism for operating a postage meter; a touch bar, a motor, a switch controlling the motor, clutch mechanism for connecting the motor with the meter drive shaft, means for simultaneously'starting the motor and throwing in the clutch mechanism when said bar is depressed, means for preventing the operation of the switch and the throwing in of the clutch, and spring connected levers supporting the bar and permitting the touch bar to be depressed without the full force of such pressure being transmitted to the switch and clutch mechanism in event that the meter is not in proper condition for operation.

25. In motor driven mechanism for operating .a postage meter machine; a meter, a meter drive shaft, a motor, a clutch for connecting the motor with the meter drive shaft, means for preventing the throwing in of the clutch, a manually operable lever and devices for starting the motor and throwing in the clutch when said lever is depressed, and means whereby starting of the motor and throwing in of the clutch are prevented if the mechanism is not in proper condition for operating the meter.

26. In a postage meter machine having a drive shaft, a longitudinally movable shaft, and means for preventing rotation of the meter drive shaft controlled by said longitudinally'movable shaft; a motor driving connection between the motor and the meter drive shaft including a clutch for connecting or disconnecting the driving shaft with the motor, a manually operable lever, means whereby when the said lever is depressed the said longitudinally movable shaft is shifted endwise to release the meter drive shaft, means whereby the clutch is engaged and held engaged when the meter drive shaft is released until the parts complete a cycle of operation, and means whereby throwing in of the clutch is prevented if the mechanism is not in proper condition for operating the meter.

JACOB W. OGDEN. EDWIN DONALDSON. 

